MET predicts bad weather to continue

Monsoonal rain and thunderstorms with occasional heavy showers are expected over the country, according to the Maldives Meteorological Services.

As downpours dampened Eid celebrations across the country on Sunday, the Met predicted the bad weather to continue for the next 48 hours.

From Saturday night to Sunday morning, the heaviest rainfall was recorded in the southernmost Addu City with 114 millimetres. With 55 miles per hour, the strongest wind speed was recorded on Kaadedhdhoo island in Gaaf Dhaal atoll.

In the southernmost atolls, strong winds felled trees and damaged the roofs of 24 homes in Addu City and 15 homes in Fuvahmulah City on Saturday, according to the National Disaster Management Authority.

The city councils worked with the police and military to repair damages and remove fallen trees. Strong winds also caused damages in the southern Huvadhu atoll.

The NDMA advised precautionary measures after the Met warned of swell surges and flooding from heavy rainfall.

With rough seas expected during showers, the authorities also advised sea travellers to exercise caution.

On Sunday night, a seaplane carrying tourists from Fairmont resort in the northern Shaviyani atoll was forced to make an emergency landing near Huraa island in Malé atoll. The 18 passengers were taken to the airport by the military’s coastguard and sea ambulance.

A safari vessel docked near Laamu Maibaidhoo ran aground on the island’s western reef after the anchor came loose and it was swept up by tidal waves.

The coastguard also rescued three people stranded at sea after their dinghy capsized near the Taj Exotica resort. Police officers helped bring back seven women and four men with a six-month-old baby to Alif Dhaal Dhagethi island after the group was caught in bad weather on a nearby picnic island.

In a separate incident, the marine police also rescued a picnic group with three men, seven women and 10 children near Kohdhipparu.

A yellow alert advising against sea travel was in effect for two and a half hours on Sunday night.